Published on Wednesday 23 July 2025
Cricket clubs, community centres, and tree trails are just some of the projects set to benefit from a record-breaking round of funding allocated by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
More than £950,000 has been awarded to 60 community projects across Bournemouth and Poole; with grants ranging from a few hundred pounds up to £75,000.
The sixth round of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) neighbourhood portion funding launched earlier this year and saw residents, businesses and community groups invited to submit projects for funding.
CIL funding stems from a planning charge paid by developers with the neighbourhood portion set aside to be reinvested in community-led projects in specific neighbourhoods to address the impact of new developments; funds are passed directly to Christchurch town and parish councils for spending.
Merley’s Community Centre is set to be significantly transformed after being successful with six bids - totalling more than £130,000 – with new doors, toilets, and table tennis facilities installed alongside a complete resurfacing of the rear car park.
Cllr Sandra Moore, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Partnerships at BCP Council, said: “These are exactly the sort of projects that this fund is designed to support and it is great knowing the difference they will make to our communities.
“It’s great that money raised from developments can be reinvested in this way and deliver on projects - big and small - that matter to communities.
“I am so pleased that we have been able to distribute our largest ever funding allocation to fantastic local causes.”
Play equipment will be refreshed at a number of play areas – including Treasure Island, Canford Cliffs, Springbourne Gardens, Moordown, and Oakdale; and Poole Park’s cricket facilities will see repairs to the pavilion’s roof and a replacement artificial wicket.
There is also considerable investment in enriching greenspaces with nearly £75,000 awarded to enhance Ashley Cross Green - including new trees and flower beds, as well as fountain maintenance. More than £60,000 has been allocated to projects that will see street trees planted in Winton and Poole.
Nick Williams, Chairman of Poole Town Cricket Club, said: "We're extremely pleased to receive this investment into the facilities at Poole Park.
"Poole Town Cricket Club has over 100 playing junior members, and around 70 children taking part in the All Stars and Dynamos training programmes, plus a thriving women's cricket section and five teams playing in the Dorset Saturday league.
"The money towards these much-needed repairs at the park will benefit everyone in our club and encourage other community groups to make good use of the pavilion for their own events.”
Harold Burridge, Chair of Merley Community Centre, said: “We are delighted with the recent announcement that we have been successful in securing a substantial six figure award from the recent BCP CIL Round Six funding campaign that will enable five fully costed improvement projects to happen at the MCC.
“We are undertaking a number of facility improvements and upgrades to reflect variations in the law and social regulations and to broaden the centre’s appeal to our local residents and those beyond.
“This award of CIL Funding from BCP Council will allow this to happen rather more quickly than we had planned which is great news for the community.
Further successful projects include replacement benches on Coy Pond Road dog safety signage at Whitecliff Park, accessibility improvements at Hamworthy Park, and a defibrillator at St Thomas Church.
A full list is available here: CIL-Neighbourhood-Portion-Round-6-Bid-Awards.pdf.